Collar-stuffing machine



COLLAR STUPFING MACHINE.

(No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 2.

' C. EWING.

COLLAR STUPFING MACHINE. No. 417,552. Patented Deo. 1'7,- 1889l (No Medel.) 5 sheets-sheet a.

C. EWNG.

COLLAR STUFPING MACHINE.

10.417,552. Pei-.enea Dee. 17.1889.

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(No Modl.) I 5 sheets-sheet 4. C.. EWING.

COLLAR STUFFING MACHINE.

No. 417,552. `Paaerled Deo. 17, 1889.

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(No Model 5 Sheets-Sheet 5.

o. BWING.

COLLAR STUFPING. MAGHINE.

No. 417,552. 4 Patented Dec. 17, 1889.

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UNITED ST ATEs PATENT OFFICE.

CALVIN EWING, OF SAN FRANCISC, CALIFORNIA.

COLLAR-STUFFING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 417,552, dated December 1'7, 1889.

Application filed August 27, 1889. Serial No. 322,090. (No model.) l

-is especially adapted for the Work of stuffing the rims of horse-collars with straw; and it consists in certain details of construction,

which will be more fully explained by reference to the accompanying` drawings, in which- Figure l is a vertical sectional elevation of the box containing the straw, the mechanism by which wads of straw are separated from The main body, the stuffing-rod which forces said wads into the collar-rim, and a portion of the tube upon which said rim is carried while being "stued Fig. 2, Sheet 2, isa perspective view of the lower portion or table of this part of the machine, with the straw-holding box or hopper removed, also showing the stuffing-rod partly. projected and the tube broken away. Fig. 3, Sheet 3, is a plan view of the same portion of the apparatus. Fig. 3 is a separate view of the stuffing-tube head. Fig. 4, Sheet' 3, is a Vertical'V section taken through a of Fig. 3. Fig. V5, Sheet 4, is a perspective view of the clamp which holds the collarerim upon the tube and allows it to be advanced thereon while `being stuffed.

Fig. Gis a transverse section of the clamp and a part of the arm by which it is opened and closed. Fig. '7 is also a transverse section showing the device for keeping the open end of the rim closed. Fig. 8, Sheet 5, is a general perspective view of the whole machine.

My present invention is an improvement upon a machine for which Letters Patent were issued to me September 16, 1884., No.

ing end of the rod lies just within the lower part of the straw-'containing hopper C, and at the other end of the stroke it will have carried the wad of straw to the end of the tubular case which is eventually to form the collar-rim, the throw of the stuffing-rod being sufficient for the length required for the largest size of collars.

The straw-containing hopper C is supported upon the table A at a suitable distance from the crank Wheel and shaft, and is made removable froni the lower portion, so that the latter can be easily inspected. The straw is cut into lengths, and is placed in the hopper so as-to lie transversely to the line of travel of the stuffing-rod B. The operating end of this rod is slightly Iiattened vertically,and the end is grooved or notched, so that when a portion of strawis presented in front of it this notch will clasp the straw at about the middle of its length, and will fold it up on each side of the rod and force it into the tube D, upon which the rim of the collar has been slipped, .this rim having been previously stitched, so as to form, when slipped over the tube D, a straight leather tube.

In the lower part of the hopper C are the plates E, having the front ends curved upward and backward, as shown at E. These plates are fixed to a tilting frame or carriage E2, the rear end of which is pivoted at F to the stationary frame G, so that the front portion of the plates E may be alternately raised and depressed for a purpose to be hereinafter described. Between the plates E is aconsiderable space, and a stationary metal plate H has its rear end bolted to the frame G, and its front end is bent into a curve downward,

as shown at H', havin@ an o eninO or slot I made through this curved portion in line with the tube D and stuffing-rod B, so that the latter may reciprocate beneath the plate H. When withdrawn to its farthest extent toward the rear, the point of the rod B lies just behind the downwardly-curved slotted portion H and in readiness to receive a wad of straw. The tilting frame E2, to which the plates E are fixed, has its central portion depressed, as plainly shown in sectional Fig. 4, and within this depression are two longitudinal guide-rails J.

K is a slide having a tongue which travels IOO between the guide-rails J, and the edges of the slide travel in grooves formed in the frame E2, and the plates E project above this slide K, so as to keep it properly in place. Upon one side of the slide is connected a rod L, which extends backward along the main frame A,and is connected 'by means of a pitman with an eccentric upon the main shaft. This eccentric has a throw sufficient to reciprocate the slide K in its guides. Upon the top of this slide K are bolted two fingers M, which project upward and forward in spaces which are left between the plates E and the central plate Il, as well shown in Fig. 2. The points of these fingers serve to separate sutficient straw from the mass of the hopper to form a wad, as will be hereinafter described.

The tilting frame E2 has an extension E3 projecting downward, and this is connected by a pin N with the cam-groove O, the pin being adjustable in a slot in the extension E3, as shown in Fig. l. The shape of this cam is such that as it rotates it raises the movable end of the tilting frame E2, lifting with it the reciprocating slide K. These parts are raised at the instant when the slide K has been withdrawn to the rear end of its travel beneath the hopper C, and when it has beenv raised the fingers M, which are below the level of the plates E and ll while the slide K is being withdrawn, are raised so as to project above the level of these plates. The action of the eccentric then moves the slide K forward, and the fingers M separate a portion of the straw from the mass within the hopper, sufficient to make a wad of the proper size to be stuffed into the rim. The shape of the cam O is such that the tilting frame E2 remains in its highest position while these arms are moving forward. At the instant when they reach the forward end of the stroke the cam draws the front end of the frame E2 downward, and the straw which is intended for thc` wad is carried down over the curve H of the plate H, so that it lies within the upturned curvature E of the plate E. By means of the adjustment of the pin N in the slotin E3 the movement of the tilting plates is made sooner or later, as desired. The stuffing-rod B, having been withdrawn by its crank so as to lie. just behind the curved portion H of the plate ll, is then in readiness for its forward movement, and the forked end of this rod takes the straw which is laid in front of it and by forcing it forward the curved end plates E bend the ends of the straw back so that the stuflingrod presses the bight or fold of the straw forward into the tube D, which is secured in line with the stuffing-rod. The rod carries this wad of straw through the tube D and into the tubular leather case which isto form the collar rim, the outer end of this ease being temporarily closed at first by a device to be hereinafter described, so that the first wads of straw will not be forced out of the end of the tube. The cam O, which alternately raises and depresses the tilting frame E2, is of such a shape that after the fingers M have been brought down below the level of the plates E and ll they will be retained below this level, while the eccentric-rod L draws the slide back to the rear end of its travel. These fingers are thuskept out of contact with the mass of straw in the hopper which lies upon the plates E and lil, and thus cannot drag the straw or disarrange it by movin gback in contact with it. The movements of the cam are such as to draw the frame E2 down and with it the slide K when the latter reaches the front end of its stroke, and they are kept4 down until the slide K has been withdrawn to the rear end of its stroke, after which the cam raises the frame E2 and the slide K, so that the fingers M are projected above the plates E and Il, where they are retained while the slide K makes its forward stroke. The cam-plate O is fixed upon a horizontal transverse shaft P, (shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3,) and this is rotated by means of a beveled gear Q Q, the shaft R, carrying one part of this gear, extending back and being driven by suitable gearing from the main shaft.

lVhenever it is desired to stop the feeding of the straw from the main hopper without stopping the machinery, it is done by means of a gate S, which slides down through a slot in front of the hopper and cuts off the supply of straw to the stufiing-rod.

The tube D, through which the wad of straw is forced by the stuffing-,rod B, is formed with a cast-metal head T. This head is elongated and has slots formed in it, as shown in Fig. 3", and the tube slips into this head, where it may be screwed or otherwise secured, and a mass of solder is melted into the spaces or openings in the head, so as to firmly fix the tube in place and prevent its being separated from the head. The tube is held in place by means of a hand-lever U, fulcrumed at one side of the machine, extending across between the posts V upon the table A, with the handle within easy reach of the operator. This lever is grooved, so as to fit down over the tube D just forward of the head, and thus hold it properly in place in line with the stuffing-rod B. 7When a rim has been completed and removed, the tube is easily taken out, a new rim is slipped over it, and it is replaced ready for further work and held in place by the lever U.

ln order to hold the leather tube which is to form the rim securely upon the outside of the tube D, it is inclosed by the clampingjaws XV lV. The jaw W has a projecting flange, which allowsv it to be bolted upon the table A, and the jaw \V is hinged or pivoted to the upper portion of the jaw V, which projects over the line of travel of the stuffingrod B. Both these jaws have semi-cylindrical grooves or channels made in them, so that when they are closed together about the hinges X, they will close upon the leather rim and hold it upon the tube with sufficient strength to allow the successive wads of IOO IIO

straw to be forced into it with the necessary degree of compactness. 4 .In order to open and close the movablejaw W, I have shown arms Y, which extend vertically through the table A or suitable guides and have their lower ends connected with a crank-wheel Z, by which they may be raised or depressed. These arms extend up behind the stationary jaw WV and are bent over, as shown at Y so that their outer ends are connected by a pin, as at a, with the movable jaw W. It will be manifest that when the arms Y are raised the movable jaw XV will be turned about its hinges X and opened to admit or release the tube within it, and when the arms Y are'drawn down the movablejaw W willbe closed about its hinges, so as to clamp the tube within it. In order to hold it with a sufficiently strong and at the same time elastic pressure, the connection between the bars Y and the crank-wheel Z is made by means of a very stiff spiral spring b, which serves as a connecting-rod, and which produces an elastic clamping compression upon the tube.

The crank-wheel Z is mounted upon a shaft c, suitably j ournaled, preferably as here shown, beneath the table or frame A, and it is turned so as to raise or lower the arms Y by means of a lever d,v extending up by the side of the table within reach of the operator. This lever has a pawl e pivoted to it, which engages a rack f, fixed to the side of the table. The pawl is double-ended, so that it serves to lock the mechanism, both when the clamping-jaws are closed and when they are open, either one end or the other of the pawl' engaging with the rack f, as desired.

Then the tube is first clamped within the jaws W XV', it is necessary to close the open end, so that the iirst few wads of straw will not be pushed out through the end of the tube; but after a few wads have been introduced into the end of the tube the friction will be sufficient, so that it will not be necessary to keep the end of the tube closed any longer. In order to close it temporarily, I have shown a lever g, fulcrumed upon the side of the movable jaw W, and the short arm of this leveris adapted to turn about the fulcrum through a slot in the side of the tube, so that its rounded end will temporarily press the sides of the leather tube together beyond.

the end of the metal tube D. When the first wads of straw are pressed into the tube, they are prevented from falling out of the end by reason of this compression; but as the stuffing continues the pressure of the straw forced in'by the stuffing-rod causes the leather tube to gradually slip through the gripping-jaws W WV', and as it moves out of the jaws the lever g will be turned about its fulcrum, so as to move automatically out of the way of the tube, which thereafter is moved through the jaws until such time as the stuffing is completed. The friction between the grips and thesides of the tube is easily adj usted, and any suitable tension may be put upon them, so that the straw will be stuffed into the'rim as hard as may be desired before it overcomes the friction, so as to push the tube out of the gripping-jaws.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. In a collar-stuffing machine, the strawcontaining receptacle, the plates hinged at one endto form a tilting bottom for said receptacle, and the intermediate stationary plate, a reciprocating slide traveling in guides upon the frame which supports the tilting plates, and having fingers projecting upward and forward, the mechanism whereby the tilting frame carrying the slide and its fingers is raised while the slide is moving forward, and

depressed so that the lingers are withdrawn beneath the su pporting-plate upon which the straw rests, substantially as described.

2. In a collar-stuffing machine, the straw'- containing receptacle, the bottom consisting of a central stationary plate having the front end curved and slotted, a reciprocating stuffing-rod passing below said plate and through the slotted front, a hinged tilting frame carrying the plates upon each side of the central plate and having their front ends curved upward and backward, a slide reciprocating upon said frame and having fingers eXtending upward upon each side ofthe stationary central plate, and the cam or mechanism whereby the tilting frame is raised and held up while the slide and fingers are moving forward, and depressed and held down so that the fingers are retracted below the level of the central plate, substantially as described. 3. The straw-containing receptacle, the stationary central plate having the front end curved and slotted, the hinged tilting side plates 'with the front curved upward and backward, a reciprocating slide traveling in guides upon the tilting frame and having lingers projecting upward between the side and central plates, a cam connected with' the tilting frame, so as to hold the frame up while the fingers advance and separate the wad of straw from the mass in the hopper, said frame being depressed when t-he slide reaches the' front, so as to carry said wad downward into the line of the stuiiing-rod, which reciprocates -beneath the central plate, and through the IOO ITO

tionary and tilting plates, the slide and mechanism for separating the straw into wads, andV a reciprocating stuffing-rod having its front end adapted to seize said wads and force them forward out of the receptacle, in combination with a tube having a iiange or head, and a movable clamp or lever whereby said tube is secured in line with the reciprocating rod, substantially as described.

5. The combination ot the straw-containing receptacle and feed mechanism, a stuing-rod, and a stuing-tube having a cast head and an extension with slotted openings upon the sides for the reception of the solder or alloy whereby said tube is secured to the head, substantially as described.

(3. The straw-containing receptacle and feed mechanism, a reciprocating stuing rod whereby the straw is taken in Wads or charges from the receptacle, and a metallic tube upon which the flexible tubular collar-rim is slipped and which is secured in line with the reciprocating stutng-rod, in combination with the hinged clamping jaws and a mechanism whereby they may be closed oropened about the tube, substantially as described.

7. In a horse-collar-stuing machine, the stationary jaw fixed upon the table, the movable jaw hinged to the stationary jaw so as to close about the collar-rim and hold it in place, in combination With arms connected with the movable jaw, the crank, connecting-rod, and lever, whereby the movable jaw is opened and closed about its hinges, substantially as described.

8. In a collar-stuffing machine, the tubegripping jaws hinged together, the arms connected with the movable jaw and having amol tion whereby said jaw may be opened and closed about the stationary 011e, a crank by which said motion is produced, and an intermediate spring or elastic connecting-rod, substantially as described.

9. In a collar-stuing machine, the grippingjaws adapted to open and close, so as to hold the tube within them, and the compressing arm or lever whereby the end of the collartube may be temporarily closed at the com-v lnencement of the stuffing, said lever being automatically movable, so as to release the tube as the stuing progresses, substantially as described.

l0. In a collar-stuing machine, the strawcontaining hopper, the bottom formed of stationary and tilting plates, the slide reciprocating upon the tilting frame and carrying the straw-separating fingers, and a cam by which the tilting frame is raised and depressed at stated intervals, in combination with a slotted plate depending from the frame and a pin connecting the plate with the cam and adjustable in the slot, so as to regulate the movements of the tilting plate, substantially as described.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

CALVIN EWING.

Witnesses:

S. H. NoURsE, WILLIAM W. SESSIONS. 

